QLD: Bowen lifesaver given bail on manslaughter charge

AAP General News (Australia)
08-10-2000
QLD: Bowen lifesaver given bail on manslaughter charge

BRISBANE, Aug 10 AAP - A surf life saving captain was given bail today after successfully
appealing a nine-year jail term for the manslaughter of 16-year-old north Queensland schoolgirl
Rachel Antonio.

The Townsville Supreme Court granted bail to 27-year-old Robert Hytch, who has spent
nine months in jail after being convicted last November.

Hytch was allowed bail on the conditions that he report to police three times a week,
live with his parents in Bowen, surrender his passport and have no contact with any witnesses.

The Department of Public Prosecution which led the 17-day trial against the labourer
last October has yet to decide whether to launch a retrial.

The Court of Appeal recently overturned his conviction and ordered a retrial.

Rachel disappeared from Bowen on Anzac Day 1998 and her body has never been found.

Hytch was jailed after a jury found him guilty of manslaughter but not guilty of murder
following a Supreme Court trial in Townsville.

AAP ap/sc/mk/bwl

KEYWORD: HYTCH

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